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PurposeThe purpose of this study was to produce an overview of the present visualization techniques of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) in order to reduce the rates of nerve damage after third molar (M3) removal and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO).MethodsAn electronic literature search was performed of the English-language scientific literature published prior to December 31, 2014 using the LIMO KU Leuven search platform. Information on the specifications of the different imaging techniques, their clinical application, advantages, disadvantages, and duration was extracted from 11 reports.ResultsFive methods for IAN visualization were obtained from the search results, which are cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and automatic extraction of the IAN canal using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), panoramic radiography, endoscopy, and ultrasonographic visualization.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that high-resolution MRI is the most commonly used method for direct visualization of the IAN. Six out of the eleven manuscripts use this technique. Recently, there have been some (experimental) modifications to the conventional MRI in the form of diffusion tensor tractography (DTT), phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography (PC-MRA), and dental MRI. Future studies will focus on an intraoperative application of MRI to visualize the IAN during surgery.

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Objective To identify the clinicopathological parameters that influence survival in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma, in order to allow for the development of individualized surveillance programmes and reduce the delay in diagnosis of recurrence. Materials and Methods Retrospective chart review of 553 patients with a treatment‐naïve primary oral squamous cell carcinoma, who underwent primarily curative intended surgery. Exclusion criteria were neoadjuvant radio(chemo)therapy, follow‐up < 1 year, perioperative death, inoperable disease, synchronous multiple malignancies and inadequate information on clinicopathological parameters. Results The clinicopathological factors that influence overall survival, disease‐free survival and locoregional control were calculated. In the multivariate survival analysis, the occurrence of recurrence, presence of extracapsular spread, T‐ and N‐classification were shown to be independent risk factors for overall survival. Conclusion The identification of these risk factors can lead to the development of individualized follow‐up programmes based on risk stratification. This allows for the earliest possible diagnosis of relapse which is essential to offer the patient a realistic second treatment chance and to improve survival rates.

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